Rate your current mental health level out of 10

[photon]

Yeah was recently in Central America visiting some family, my niece came along too and we had a great time together, what I thought was going to be just being there so people could see me ended up being one of the best vacations I've had.

Like you said we've only got one life to live, at some point you decide that you can't sacrifice too much of the now for the future when who knows how much future there is! Weave in some of what makes you happy now too.

My niece wanted to go get tattoos together so I said f it why not?!

So I got a Mario 1UP mushroom tattoo on my ankle because I feel like I've got a new life after my weight loss. Getting a tattoo in central america is the most metal thing I've done lol

[troutman]

I'm thinking of getting a cutthroat trout tattoo.

[photon]

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

Since Covid I was struggling with the grind and stress of being a lawyer. Last Spring I did some math and made a bold decision.

My sons have left the nest, and I realized I could sell my home in Calgary, pay all my debts, and buy a nice home with cash in a small town.

I entered semi-retirement at age 58. I always wanted to be near the mountains, and found a condo near my favorite fishing in Coleman (Crowsnest Pass). My happiness is now gone from 2-3 to 10! I am outside all the time - nordic and downhill skiing, biking, hiking and flyfishing. Oldtimer hockey. I am volunteering for a couple of boards, and took a part-time job bartending at the Legion. I love it.

I had to give up my radio show, but I am only 2 hours from the City and come back easily to see family and friends. Going back to the City is strange for me now - the crowds and the traffic is almost overwhelming. My place is set up for visitors, and I have enjoyed hosting many friends and family.

My strategy will not work for everyone, but I am blessed to pursue this lifestyle. Getting plenty of sleep and exercise.

Getting out of the rat race has been so good for my health. Happy to answer questions.

Thats not what you said when I asked to stay over!!

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by troutman

If you feel trapped, you're not. Follow your bliss!

I had great support from family, friends and colleagues. We have only one life to live - why be tied to a desk?

But you put yourself in to a position to do this by spending (most) of a lifetime tied to a desk.

It was a great thing to do for you, but could you have pulled it off ten years ago? Twenty years ago when your kids were in school and you had a mortgage? I'd love to be free of coming in to a boring office job every day too but it would ruin the rest of my life, unfortunately.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah was recently in Central America visiting some family, my niece came along too and we had a great time together, what I thought was going to be just being there so people could see me ended up being one of the best vacations I've had.

Like you said we've only got one life to live, at some point you decide that you can't sacrifice too much of the now for the future when who knows how much future there is! Weave in some of what makes you happy now too.

My niece wanted to go get tattoos together so I said f it why not?!

So I got a Mario 1UP mushroom tattoo on my ankle because I feel like I've got a new life after my weight loss. Getting a tattoo in central america is the most metal thing I've done lol

Love it, and I hope every time you look at the tattoo you think of your niece.

I’m a huge fan of getting whatever tattooed on you that you like. Chances are almost no one here is a model where your job is your body so have some fun with it. I posted last year about my pickle tattoo and I hate pickles lol.

I want to get a tramp stamp still and it’s gonna happen, but I think I want it to say “Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath” surrounding this dude

[troutman]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

But you put yourself in to a position to do this by spending (most) of a lifetime tied to a desk.

It was a great thing to do for you, but could you have pulled it off ten years ago? Twenty years ago when your kids were in school and you had a mortgage? I'd love to be free of coming in to a boring office job every day too but it would ruin the rest of my life, unfortunately.

Good points - maybe I could have tried this 5-10 years ago. I could have been brave enough to explore another career, maybe in music. Moving to the small town probably required my boys finishing high school.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by troutman

Since Covid I was struggling with the grind and stress of being a lawyer. Last Spring I did some math and made a bold decision.

My sons have left the nest, and I realized I could sell my home in Calgary, pay all my debts, and buy a nice home with cash in a small town.

I entered semi-retirement at age 58. I always wanted to be near the mountains, and found a condo near my favorite fishing in Coleman (Crowsnest Pass). My happiness is now gone from 2-3 to 10! I am outside all the time - nordic and downhill skiing, biking, hiking and flyfishing. Oldtimer hockey. I am volunteering for a couple of boards, and took a part-time job bartending at the Legion. I love it.

I had to give up my radio show, but I am only 2 hours from the City and come back easily to see family and friends. Going back to the City is strange for me now - the crowds and the traffic is almost overwhelming. My place is set up for visitors, and I have enjoyed hosting many friends and family.

My strategy will not work for everyone, but I am blessed to pursue this lifestyle. Getting plenty of sleep and exercise.

Getting out of the rat race has been so good for my health. Happy to answer questions.

Amazing, I ####ing love reading things like this.

I am at the point in my life where I can start to see the road map to this type of transition.

I have maybe 5 years left in my current role, which can be a lot of work.

I think in the next 2 years we will move out of Calgary, I'm not sure where maybe the sun.

It great that there is a little bit more happiness in the world due to your decision.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Amazing, I ####ing love reading things like this.

I am at the point in my life where I can start to see the road map to this type of transition.

I have maybe 5 years left in my current role, which can be a lot of work.

I think in the next 2 years we will move out of Calgary, I'm not sure where maybe the sun.

It great that there is a little bit more happiness in the world due to your decision.

Please, for all our sakes brother, make it somewhere hotter.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Please, for all our sakes brother, make it somewhere hotter.

On it chief

[Lubicon]

Mine has taken a bit of a hit recently. The past 10 years or so at work have been quite challenging, first due to financial stresses and the COVID near shutdown and then the opposite the past few years where work has been out of control busy and consumed nearly all my time. Last year was close to the breaking point work wise, I'm hoping this year is better. I'm at the awkward point where I am not old enough to retire but too old to start over should anything happen. I've watched several of my friends/relatives this age get downsized at work and at this age nobody wants to take you on as a new hire. So personally things have been rough but manageable. But at Christmas by BIL had a mental health crisis which is still ongoing. And it's serious. But my sister lives on the other side of the country and I feel helpless other than being able to talk to her on the phone. In some ways this dwarfs my so called problems and I realize I have things pretty good, but man this is getting harder every day as she gives me the latest updates.

[PuckSlap]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Mine has taken a bit of a hit recently. The past 10 years or so at work have been quite challenging, first due to financial stresses and the COVID near shutdown and then the opposite the past few years where work has been out of control busy and consumed nearly all my time. Last year was close to the breaking point work wise, I'm hoping this year is better. I'm at the awkward point where I am not old enough to retire but too old to start over should anything happen. I've watched several of my friends/relatives this age get downsized at work and at this age nobody wants to take you on as a new hire. So personally things have been rough but manageable. But at Christmas by BIL had a mental health crisis which is still ongoing. And it's serious. But my sister lives on the other side of the country and I feel helpless other than being able to talk to her on the phone. In some ways this dwarfs my so called problems and I realize I have things pretty good, but man this is getting harder every day as she gives me the latest updates.

Try and stay strong. It has been a tough few years. But I think things will get better for you.

[Bonded]

Torn. Career wise 10/10 as I just took a new job that is a pretty big step up. 50k raise and more responsibility I couldn’t get at my current company but it’s going to be a lot of work and I’m little worried it’ll stretch me to much. I also have to move to Winnipeg. Maybe 6/10 overall and hopefully back to an 8/10 once I settle in.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Torn. Career wise 10/10 as I just took a new job that is a pretty big step up. 50k raise and more responsibility I couldn’t get at my current company but it’s going to be a lot of work and I’m little worried it’ll stretch me to much. I also have to move to Winnipeg. Maybe 6/10 overall and hopefully back to an 8/10 once I settle in.

An extra 50k a year is a lot of trips out of Winnipeg! Congrats and deep breaths, as much as Winnipeg gets ripped on, it’s still a nice city to live in

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Torn. Career wise 10/10 as I just took a new job that is a pretty big step up. 50k raise and more responsibility I couldn’t get at my current company but it’s going to be a lot of work and I’m little worried it’ll stretch me to much. I also have to move to Winnipeg. Maybe 6/10 overall and hopefully back to an 8/10 once I settle in.

Summer Winnipeg is lovely, hot with some nice lakes around.


Winter Winnipeg is……..well just ensure……


Work wise, I took a job roughly 3 yrs ago that really stretched me professionally, but it has been great and now I’m moving into a bigger role in the company.

Lean into it, you will be fine!

[Bonded]

Thank you! I usually handle change and stress well. This is one of the few times where I am second guessing. Worst case I should land on my feet again.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Summer Winnipeg is lovely, hot with some nice lakes around.


Winter Winnipeg is……..well just ensure……


Work wise, I took a job roughly 3 yrs ago that really stretched me professionally, but it has been great and now I’m moving into a bigger role in the company.

Lean into it, you will be fine!

Yeah...and mosquitos and horse-flies the size of hummingbirds!

Winnipeg is either brutally cold or trying to eat you!

[WinnipegFan]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Torn. Career wise 10/10 as I just took a new job that is a pretty big step up. 50k raise and more responsibility I couldn’t get at my current company but it’s going to be a lot of work and I’m little worried it’ll stretch me to much. I also have to move to Winnipeg. Maybe 6/10 overall and hopefully back to an 8/10 once I settle in.

Winnipeg is a #### hole full of people who look to have given up. The key to surviving it is finding a group of people (they do exist) that are like you. Moving there for work and tolerating the location. I grew up there and highly suggest you explore Westhawk lake. It was my favourite place in Manitoba. In winter, get good winter clothing and don’t expect much from outside. If you like indie music there is a strong scene. Coryson Avenue is nice for a summer walk with great gelato. Good luck, and as ####ty as I remember it you may love it. Either way it won’t taint a strong career move.

[blender]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Torn. Career wise 10/10 as I just took a new job that is a pretty big step up. 50k raise and more responsibility I couldn’t get at my current company but it’s going to be a lot of work and I’m little worried it’ll stretch me to much. I also have to move to Winnipeg. Maybe 6/10 overall and hopefully back to an 8/10 once I settle in.

Another plus is that Winnipeg has a great hockey team and getting tickets shouldn't be a problem.
And yes, a cool city for living.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by WinnipegFan

Winnipeg is a #### hole full of people who look to have given up. The key to surviving it is finding a group of people (they do exist) that are like you. Moving there for work and tolerating the location. I grew up there and highly suggest you explore Westhawk lake. It was my favourite place in Manitoba. In winter, get good winter clothing and don’t expect much from outside. If you like indie music there is a strong scene. Coryson Avenue is nice for a summer walk with great gelato. Good luck, and as ####ty as I remember it you may love it. Either way it won’t taint a strong career move.

Okay, I think thats a little harsh, but...Winnipeg does suck, for a lot of very cromulent reasons, but the people of Winnipeg are largely amazing.

Whats the old saying? "Difficult conditions generate great people?" I dont think thats it but...close enough.

Hell....I wonder why settlers got to Calgary and thought..."Yeah. This seems like a fine place to stop!" It had to have been summer. Had to have been!

I can only fathom that it was because of the rivers and the fact that the Mountains looked like 'Granny wouldn't make it much further' and they just never left.

I dont have a theory as to why people stopped in Winnipeg. Maybe they looked West...looked East...looked North....and saw a grand total of absolutely nuthin. So...'yeah, here is fine.'